Off to Birmingham today…

Working in Birmingham today for Peters books. Awake just two minutes before the alarm was due to go off and then got the train from Bicester. Really busy day today and flat out. Worked on the train all the way here and then at the office it was non-stop! Nice to be productive so i didn't feel bad leaving at 3.55pm to get the tea in so I'm home for football training in time.

Tash took Charlotte home to Nottingham after work and they're there at the time of writing this, on the platform waiting for my train!!

Worked on the training session plans for this evening on the train and loads of other emails that kept coming in – I seem to be on a bit of a roll at the minute!!

Not much else to report so nothing more to type!!

Not Enjoyable Day with JPL Football

Days like today make me wonder if being involved with kids football is worth it. Horrible game, horrible manager and it all got very unpleasant. Even more so and unlike me I complained about him in my match report. Whether I get any comeback or not I don't much care.

The opponents were Kidderminster who beat us last year in the cup at their tiny pitch and as soon as I met their manager I recognized what a prick he was!! He's not changed at all. Constantly and loudly questioning absolutely everything.

We did well in the match itself but couldn't get the finishing touch and eventually conceded a disappointing goal to lose 1-0. Couldn't fault the fight and attitude of my players and everyone was frustrated afterwards including me having too many subs to work with. Such a hard juggling act and I hate it. Kidderminster made accusations at the end and left without having food etc. all very acrimonious. Winds me up even thinking about it!!

The day started well enough as I was up early, what a difference not drinking at all makes, and I was sorting out work etc and then jobs around the house that needed doing, all quite productive actually. Fixing a uPVC (bathroom) window handle - not done that before and anything else Tash wanted doing!!

After football we had a lovely roast dinner, Tash wanted Charlotte eating properly before returning to Uni this week and then we just pottered around the house and watched a film. Quite late Tash went up the JR with Jessica and Oscar & Katie as Jess has fallen in the garden earlier in the day, banged her head and was now throwing up. Advised to attend the JR to get a scan and Tash wanted to be invoked...bad, but nice, idea.

I stayed up and watched a few Game of Thrones episodes and went to bed once Tash texted to say how much longer they'd be up there for and no point staying up. I got woken up at 3.30am with her calling me to be picked up, there was still another hour or two for them to wait but Tash needed to come home and sleep. So off I went in my PJs and all was ok.

Update in the morning and she's better and there's no serious issue.

Working up in Manchester

The alarm went off at 6 o'clock this morning and I was absolutely shattered. Up and out within 30 minutes and then on the road to Salford, Manchester.
I am dictating this whilst driving on the M6 Toll Road and one of my biggest bug-bears is middle lane drivers, they on an absolute nightmare I don't understand why it is so difficult to move and drive on the inside lane. Twats!
Anyway I'm a bit worried about today's session for DotMailer training because Education Company support have not done all that they should have done for the data and the integration has not been sorted out so it's likely to be quite an embarrassing and awkward situation.
I have enough experience to deal with the situation but it is still far from ideal and I have made my comments to the relevant people at EdCo.
I must remember to buy Natasha some flowers today to thank her for her hard work on organising the skiing trip that we all enjoyed so very much. I think she will be completely shocked at that - we will soon see.
Update…training was fine. Two sharp people and it was at the BBC offices up there so it was interesting being in that famous environment. The issues I was expecting were raised but we got them sorted and moved on
Left about 2.30pm and came home, had to stop for a snooze on M6 as I was shattered, felt so much better for doing so though and I as home by 6.30pm. Tash was at her Mum’s and when she came back was surprised that I'd got her flowers, almost cried, she might have done if I'd got her anything but chrysanthemums (not her favourite – or even ones that she likes apparently!) – I can't get anything right can I?!?
Did nothing much else in the evening other than select and upload a load of the skiing photos to Facebook which went down well with people viewing them and caught up in an episode of the new series of Blind Spot. Can't decide if I'm going to continue watching it though as it's become very predictable and the same. Give it a couple more Episodes and then decide.
Early night in the end!

First day back in London for the New Year!

Up nice an early today with the alarm waking me at 5.25am. I was so tired and could have done without this. Same again tomorrow as I'm traveling up to Manchester!! Glutton for punishment.
Got the 6.31 train to London as normal and to the new GL offices. There's a gym here that I've signed up for so that will be used at lunchtimes now...well not today as I wasn't organised!!
Such a busy day today, did a presentation of Spirit v8 to all the CRM master group and it was very successful so that was pleasing. Loads of questions and I was shattered afterwards but still got on with loads of the work, testing and feedback. Fully focused on GL all day so that was good
Left the office at 5.15pm and fought with the usual commute, it was fine and I got the 18.18 train home which is the one I always aim for.
Had to do prep for the training session tomorrow, bit anxious but it should be ok...famous last words. It was a long evening as things just weren’t working, got there in the end but it wasn’t ideal
To make things worse, I took Jack to karate and was prepared to stay there and work and he was straight back in the car – the place was closed!! We had no idea there was no session today so that was a bit of a waste of time. Ah well.

Back to Work - Raintree

Working at Raintree today. Struggled to get going so have Bess a walk over the meadow and cycled to work. Worked up a bit of a sweat.
Got a fair amount done and had various meetings etc so it was productive. Needed to complete a training session in the after noon so went home to do that and it was a strange one. It was a webinar and was so one way, I didn't enjoy it as I got no interaction from anyone.
Anyway, it was done and I worked the rest of the afternoon at home. Had jacks football in the evening at Berinsfield and worked the 10 lads that turned up. They were puffing!! All we did was 5-a-side so I'm a bit concerned about the match at the weekend. Not much more I can do about it now though!!
Back home and I tried to help with looking at a present for Gareth's birthday. We've got a weekend in Seville with them in a fortnight and we were thinking about wine tasting tour. Looks good fun but I'm not 100% sure how good value it was. But if a waste of time as Tash is going to look into it as well tomorrow.
Watched some TV and did some more work before going to bed quite late again. Not ideal as I'm up at 5.30am tomorrow!
No exercise managed today...disappointing!

Welcome to 2017

Took a while to wake up and get going, thankfully only a heaving head and not feeling dodgy!! Mind you, I came home early and was finished by 1.30am because of the situation with jack. Later found out from Lewis that they were still in the Mines bar until 3.30am...both disappointed and relieved I didn't go back out...I guess.

Had some brunch and gradually everyone came to life and we agreed to go out skiing at around 1.00pm. Some didn't bother but when we went out we went to the Roche de Milo and then over to the glacier where we were yesterday and it was so worth the effort, it was excellent snow and a bit of a challenge but we were also so high up in the mountains that the views were spectacular!! Did some videoing again and got some good stuff. Didn't overdo things but when back on the Belle Plagne side of the mountain the snow was once again hard to navigate. We were okay though and made our way home for 4.00pm and then dropped off our ski gear for another year before going back to the apartment to pack away our stuff and then pack the cars. Mine struggled to start which was a bit of a worry but it was eventually ok once it had warmed up.

Went back to the Bobsleigh pub for food and that was really quite good and watched one of the darts semi-finals which was good fun. Left early leaving those that didn't need to drive and had an early night. Although that turned into a shit nights sleep for some reason.

Anyway, the end to a fantastic holiday once again. Now to save for the next one.